This basketballer lived in a shipping container. Now he’s part of Australia’s equal record NBA draft haul

Four Australians found homes in the second round of the NBA draft on Friday and, most importantly, they’ve joined teams who may well have spots for them next season.

Brisbane Bullets centre Rocco Zikarsky was drafted by the Chicago Bulls but traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves, while the Bulls traded for Illawarra Hawks centre Lachlan Olbrich, who was taken later in the draft.

Tyrese Proctor was taken by the Cleveland Cavaliers and Alex Toohey had his draft rights traded to the Golden State Warriors.

Zikarsky previously lived with his mum in a custom-made house built from shipping containers on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast to accommodate his 221-centimetre frame.

“We used to have a stairwell and Rocco clocked himself going down one day, he really hit it hard, and I thought it could get quite dangerous,” his mother, Kylie, told this masthead in 2023.

At the time he was the tallest player in the NBL and considered a future foil for French superstar Victor Wembanyama.

Zikarsky knew his first NBA destination could be anywhere among the 30 franchises – he ended up at the team closest to his US training base, having worked out in Minnesota since late March.

“The first day I got here, it was snowing and I was like, ‘Somebody take me home’,” Zikarsky told this masthead before the draft.

“But it’s definitely warmed up a little bit, and it’s a great place to be.”

ESPN draft expert Jonathan Givony reported that Zikarsky was expected to spend the next two seasons on a two-way contract with the Wolves, allowing him to be able to develop his game between the NBA and its development league.

Rocco Zikarsky at his house made of shipping containers.

Olbrich joins Giddey at the Bulls

Olbrich could team up with fellow Aussie Josh Giddey, who is a restricted free agent and tipped to receive a lucrative new contract from the Bulls after starring for them this past season.

Teams don’t have to sign second-round picks to contracts and can choose to send them overseas to develop, but there seems a good chance all four will end up in the US league next season.

Timberwolves president Tim Connolly said he was “fired up” about snaring the 18-year-old Zikarsky, who has trained in Minnesota since late March.

“He was a very good competitive swimmer, near Olympic level [at underage level] prior to getting into basketball, so we are fired up,” Connolly told a press conference.

Australian Rocco Zikarsky has been drafted into the NBA.Credit: Getty Images

“He is a long-term play but a guy who trained locally, so he appreciates Minnesota. We had a great workout with him, and had him much higher on our board.”

Australia’s equal-best NBA draft haul

With four Australians chosen, this year’s draft ranks equal with the 1997 intake for the most Australians ever selected, with Zikarsky (pick 45) the first of the quartet picked up.

In 1997, South East Melbourne Magic’s Chris Anstey ended up with the Dallas Mavericks after the Portland Trail Blazers drafted him in the first round. C.J. Bruton, Paul Rogers and Ben Pepper were all taken in the second round.

The Timberwolves could opt to have the 221-centimetre Zikarsky play elsewhere next year to continue his development, or they could bring him in to learn from veteran centre and four-time NBA defensive player of the year Ruby Gobert.

Olbrich was taken by the LA Lakers at pick 55 but had his draft rights traded to the Bulls, who could offer him a two-way contract in which he would move between the G-League and the NBA. Toohey could face a similar situation with the Warriors.

ESPN reported during the draft coverage that Proctor was tipped to earn a roster spot with the Cavs, who wanted a young guard to add depth to their line-up.

Two-way contracts see players earn about $US600,000 and move between an NBA team and its G-League affiliate. They can suit-up for up to 50 NBA games, and teams can choose to upgrade their contract to a full-season one.

Tyrese Proctor was drafted by the Cleveland Cavaliers.Credit: Getty Images

The Bulls have a rich history with Australian players. Luc Longley won three-straight titles playing alongside Michael Jordan in the 1990s, while Anstey, Cam Bairstow and Luke Schenscher all spent time at Chicago in the years after.

Cavs pick up Proctor, Toohey goes to Golden State

The Cavaliers made Proctor the latest Aussie to join their ranks when they took him with pick 49. He joins the team where Matthew Dellavedova (who went undrafted) won a title with LeBron James, while former second-round pick Luke Travers was a two-way player in Cleveland this past season.

Cavs general manager Mike Gansey told media that Proctor was expected to sign a multi-year contract with the team.

The Golden State Warriors drafted Sydney Kings forward Alex Toohey.Credit: Louise Kennerley

Toohey, a wing for the Sydney Kings, had to wait for the 52nd pick to hear his name called out by Golden State.

Warriors general manager Mike Dunleavy told media the team traded into the second round to draft Toohey and Florida shooter Will Richard, and he didn’t think either player was “years away” from making an impact for the team.

Toohey impressed scouts with his feel for the game and defensive nous, but fell into the second round where the Warriors took him with a selection that was originally held by the Phoenix Suns.

Proctor played with Duke University in US college basketball and his teammates Flagg, Khaman Maluach and Kon Knueppel were selected in the top 10.

Flagg flies in Dallas; Maluach steals the show

The Dallas Mavericks selected Cooper Flagg with the first pick of the draft on Thursday, while 10th pick Maluach stole the show after he capped a stunning rise from South Sudan to the NBA.

Khaman Maluach reacts as he greets NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being drafted.Credit: AP

Cooper Flagg is on his way to the Dallas Mavericks as the No.1 pick in the NBA draft, but the tears of South Sudanese centre Maluach stole the show during the first round.

The 216-centimetre Maluach was overcome upon hearing his name called on Thursday (AEST), completing a rise from the streets of South Sudan to the NBA academy, the South Sudan Olympic team and Duke, where he played this past season.

His draft rights will be part of the Kevin Durant trade, so while he was drafted by Houston Rockets, he will be headed to the Phoenix Suns.

Maluach said he wanted to change perceptions about Africa and promote the best of the continent, rather than its struggles.

10th pick Khaman Maluach is overcome with emotion after being selected in the NBA Draft on Thursday.Credit: Getty Images

“The moment met my expectations,” Maluach said. “I didn’t think I was going to cry, but sometimes I let the emotions out. I was so happy. Everything was just going through my head, my whole journey and my people and the continent I represent, the continent of Africa.

“It just makes me proud because I had beliefs. I believed in myself. I was delusional about my dreams. No matter what the odds are against you, it shows that you can win.”

Heckler disrupts the draft’s first round

Flagg, a Maine native and Duke forward, was a certainty to be the first pick after his stellar season in the US college basketball system, but some conspiracy theorists in the crowd had their say at the start of the event.

A fan could be heard screaming “Dallas was fixed” on the TV broadcast microphones just before NBA commissioner Adam Silver walked to the stage to open the draft.

Cooper Flagg (right) shakes hands with NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being drafted first overall by the Dallas Mavericks.Credit: Getty Images

There is an unfounded conspiracy theory among some fans that the Mavericks were awarded the top pick in the NBA draft lottery in return for the shock mid-season trade that resulted in Dallas sending superstar Luka Doncic to the LA Lakers in return for Anthony Davis.

Mavs fans protested for weeks after the Doncic trade, while the Lakers gained a young superstar to take over from LeBron James when he eventually retires.

The Mavericks received the first draft pick, despite having just a 1.8 per cent chance of doing so. The NBA hosts an annual lottery draw for its top selections as a way of avoiding teams deliberately finishing last to gain the first pick.

“No, I don’t know what to say about that,” Flagg said when asked about the conspiracy theory.

“I have no insider information, if that’s what you’re looking for. But I just feel blessed for the way it all worked out.”

Rutgers point guard Dylan Harper was taken at No.2 by the San Antonio Spurs, followed by Bahamas and Baylor University guard V.J. Edgecombe at No.3, who joined the Philadelphia 76ers.

In the name of the brothers

Duke guard Knueppel went to the Charlotte Hornets with pick four, followed by Rutgers guard Ace Bailey to the Utah Jazz and Texas guard Tre Johnson, who joined the Washington Wizards with pick six.

Knueppel is the oldest of five brothers from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, all of whom have names starting with “K”: Kager, Kingston, Kash and Kidman. All five appeared on the ESPN broadcast of the draft and all are aspiring basketballers.

New Pelicans could be headed to Melbourne

The New Orleans Pelicans, who will play two pre-season games in Melbourne against NBL clubs later this year, picked Oklahoma guard Jeremiah Fears at No.7 and traded for big man Derick Queen at No.13. The pair will likely debut in Pelicans colours at Rod Laver Arena.

Fears hopes the pair can become stars together as the Pelicans re-tool their roster under new boss Joe Dumars. Fears found out about the trade while talking to the media.

Jeremiah Fears greets NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being selected seventh by the New Orleans Pelicans.Credit: AP

“That’s super dope. Derik is a great guy, super talented. You can expect a lot from him this season,” Fears said.

“I feel like our connection and our duo is going to go a long way, as well. I’m definitely looking forward to continuing to build that connection, two rookies coming in. You guys should expect big things.”

San Antonio were again big winners as they drafted the highly touted Harper at No.2 and then grabbed Arizona defensive ace Carter Bryant at No.14 to pair with French superstar Victor Wembanyama.

Harper is the son of five-time NBA championship winner Ron Harper who won three titles with Michael Jordan’s Chicago Bulls and two with Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Byrant’s LA Lakers.

Chinese centre Yang Hansen was a surprise early selection by Memphis Grizzlies at No.16, and his draft rights were traded to Portland.

The LA Clippers used the 30th pick on Swiss seven-footer Yanic Konan Niederhauser.

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